Seventeenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Kyle Seedorf
Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2022 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees that Judge Kyle Seedorf MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, by a vote of 9 – 0. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public.
Judge Seedorf was appointed to the bench on January 1, 2020. He began his appointment with a 100% domestic relations docket and moved into a 100% civil docket on February 8, 2021. Judge Seedorf received an 87% among attorneys that he meets performance standards and a 90% rating among non-attorneys. He also receives high marks on Case Management, Application and Knowledge of Law, Communications, Diligence, Demeanor and Fairness. Some of Judge Seedorf’s strengths identified from the surveys were, “Bright and engaging, seems to enjoy the job,” and, “his calm demeanor and willingness to listen to both sides.” Many of the survey respondents noted Judge Seedorf’s friendly demeanor, intelligence, fairness, and thorough rulings as strengths. One weakness was “a bit slow to rule on motions”. During Judge Seedorf’s interview, when asked what he likes most about the job, Judge Seedorf answered that the most important thing to him is that people feel like they have been heard. He tries to accomplish this by making sure that his written rulings are complete and acknowledge the arguments of all parties. His rulings go into detail about what he found persuasive in these arguments and what he did not. Judge Seedorf acknowledges that this thoroughness can make his written rulings longer and that they take considerable time to write, but notes that it is important for all litigants to know exactly how he comes to his decisions. The Commission found Judge Seedorf’s written rulings to be useful, helpful, and thoughtful. The Commission also noted Judge Seedorf’s demeanor to be personable and his rulings from the bench to be clear and well thought out.
The Commission conducted an in-person interview with Judge Seedorf, observed him in court via WebEx and in person as well as reviewed judicial performance data, several of his written opinions and orders and his self-evaluation. The Commission also interviewed Chief Judge Don Quick. Judge Seedorf was receptive to the Commission’s input and feedback and appreciated the comments he received.
Judge Seedorf received his undergraduate degree from Hastings College in 1999, and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2002. He spent the majority of his legal career practicing in the areas of civil defense, personal injury, property damage cases, and insurance coverage matters before being appointed to the bench. He worked both as a firm lawyer and as a government lawyer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Student Loan Program.